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I love this short and quick video between the CEO of Chick fil A, Dan Cathy, and Seth Godin. Watch it and be inspired about their conversation covering the struggles of ‘writers block,’ ‘capturing your experiences,’ and ‘success.’
Seth even encourages people to simply start a blog so that you can communicate your life experiences that can impact those that will read it! Don’t forget or fail to capture your experiences for you and the people that need them!
Finally, I really like Seth’s answer about what success is:
Success isn’t doing what other people think your supposed to do. Success is doing work that you’re proud of, having a reputation that you’re proud of.
Stand tall and proud if you’ve been a blogger for one day or a blogger for 10,000 – you’re doing what most people will never do and that requires courage and initiative!
Let us always remember that our success as bloggers is less about the traffic numbers and more about your pursuit of excellence as a writer and communicator. We’re all in this journey together – some a bit further ahead than others – and no one is “there” yet!
Yes! So glad someone said it’s more about writing with excellence rather than traffic numbers.
If we can’t write, we can’t communicate. So then what’s the point?
Thanks John.
I’ll admit, I didn’t watch the video. I just read your summary.
how classy.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. I find it surprising that he encourages everyone to blog. I’ve heard it said that blogging is not for everyone, but I think he’s right. It makes you smarter, more thoughtful, and may surprise those who try. It’s been amazing for me, I can attest.
i feel smarter by blogging… although, not all the time.
Totally agree! I’ve found that my words are impacting and God is using me as a vehicle for change and I love it! Plus, blogging is therapeutic. I have to also say…I love the picture of the little girl asking people to subscribe…
i like this a lot…! i find writing is seriously therapeutic…!
my daughter is awesome, isn’t she?
Therapeutic; didn’t realize that blogging has been working like this for me as well!
ah. it’s a drug.
Love these thoughts. As someone who is somewhat new to this ‘blog world’, I”m trying to take in as much as possible. It’s nice to remember that it’s not always about numbers, but about communicating something you’re proud of.
numbers can slay you if you’re not careful.
Thanks for sharing this video. I loved Seth’s description of success. Far too many of us allow others to define what would constitute our success, but we’re the only ones who can adequately do so.
you are right on here. it’s tough to be self-confident, isn’t it?
Thanks, I needed that! It’s been a week full of the temptation to stop writing my blog. Today’s post will be late — usually publish at 5 AM — but it will be published! Thanks again, John.
do it!
Let us always remember that our success as bloggers is less about the traffic numbers and more about your pursuit of excellence as a writer and communicator. We’re all in this journey together – some a bit further ahead than others – and no one is “there” yet!
Totally agree with that! For me, I would say I define my success a little on numbers, but more on comments. I really want my site to be a community!
i’d say to keep away from the numbers game from all angles… it’s tough… and tempting!
Great convo! I really like what Dan Cathy said about us being created as an original, but many people end up dying as a copy. It’s so true! We often fear to be ourselves and let others know who we really are. I think blogging is a great tool in allowing us to break down those walls and finding freedom in who we are.
“many people end up dying as a copy”… wow.
Thanks for this John! Seth Godin gets it and love love love his reasoning on why we get writer’s block. (we create it)
i have some right now…!
This is definitely getting put into my favorites. Thanks for sharing John!
sure thing dustin!
So agree with the blog suggestion! Here is a quote from a series of books about Britsh Royal Navy life by Patrick O’Brian called the “Master and Commander” series.
“Do you not find that a spoken language wafts in & out of your mind leaving little trace unless you anchor it down with print?” “HMS Surprise”
I think that is what Seth Godin is talking about – “anchoring” down the observations, inspirations,decisions and recollections in blog form, before they float away forever. The above quote is on the opening page of my blog, along with the phrase “anchoring it down with print”.
Thanks for making the video available,John!
sure thing! i love that quote… “anchoring” ideas and thoughts.
i think i do that for my personal blog with pictures of my family… i want to “anchor” them in…!
Ouch – just happen to flip to your site and – we just wrote about the same subject today Success… I’m doing a series – The Scrabble Series – and part 1 is about success… How awesome!
THANKS!
sweet! not a problem… we could use more focus on it!
thanks for sharing! i always have writer’s block… but i think i get talker’s block too.
… i would not have noticed!
So… i noticed you have TEN categories!! was the optimal number 5-8? or 5-10?
it’s true. i do have 10. but 5 of them are not touched very often. in fact, the interviews could roll up into community… and i don’t even do the week in reviews anymore.
that would make 8.
Thanks for sharing man. I always love Seth Godin. I wonder how you find this video anyway?
What I really like from what he said is after saying “having a reputation that you’re proud of.”, he said “too many people hung up on number instead of emotion and feeling that won’t go away.”
you’re right. people can get hung up on those numbers…!
Thanks for the inspiration!
everytime i see your gravatar i get happy. hands in the air!!!!!!!
I completely agree with Seth Godin here: the discipline of writing every day makes you smarter! I have seen that writing through blogging has really helped me to narrow down what I believe and why I believe it. I’ve learned better ways of communicating those things through writing, but they’ve greatly helped me in communicating them verbally as well. In turn, it’s deepened my faith. Thanks for highlighting this video!
i agree. it has helped me clarify my thoughts on many things and has helped me verbalize them.
I love Chick fil a!!!
Thanks for sharing that video. Seth Godin is a genius. I just finished reading my first book by his, “The Purple Cow”. Great book on being remarkable to stand out from the crowd.
that is definitely a great book!
A forever lurker, first time commenter…. Writer’s block is my excuse. Dan Cathy and Seth Godin’s message is so uncomplicated, straightforward and down to earth. Simply brilliant. Thanks for this one John.
wow, thanks so much for coming out of the dark!
really appreciate it!
I so agree that you don’t want to blog for the numbers, but for me, every time I look at the numbers and I realise that another person has just read something that I’ve written, I’m encouraged. Or if someone comments on a post, again that’s encouraging. So while it isn’t about the numbers, the numbers do represent people who’ve taken the time out to read and comment, and that’s inspiring, even if the numbers are huge. Make sense?
it totally does! i’m not saying do away with numbers… they are helpful… my intent is to help people not rely on them as heavily as we might!
Without you, I would never have seen this encouraging video – thanks John!
sure thing neil!
LOVE this video. Seth is wicked smart but I think it’s more so because he is brutally honest. He says things most of us know but just aren’t as confident in saying.
this is truth.
Really great video and content. I just started a blog, and this was very helpful!
sweet!
do you have a gravatar? http://tentblogger.com/gravatar/
I have a bad habit of opening a bunch of tabs in my browser and then not watching or reading what I have open for weeks.
I finally watched this and wish I had done so weeks ago. I need to quit worrying about traffic and just write something that I can be proud of.
i agree. your goal is to produce, engage, and read.
Amazing conversation-powerful truths!
I just figured out who Seth Godin reminds me of…remember the old Six Flags commercials with the dancing guy?
Love this quote from a recent post of his: “Real achievement comes from racing ahead when no one else sees a path–and holding back when the rush isn’t going where you want to go.” Seth Godin
omg… i haven’t thought of that ever!
I SO needed to hear (read) that John. I just started a 30 day challenge for myself to blog every single day regardless of how much traffice I obtain. It’s been a great excercise for me but it’s the checking of the stats that’s making me go a bit loopy.
Thanks John! You are an inspiration to many.
how’s it going so far?
It’s going pretty good actually. My first challenge is to write 1 blog a day and I haven’t missed 1 yet.
Thanks for asking John!
excellent! you got some accountability?
Not at the moment
I’m still learning and never really thought about getting one for blogging. What an excellent idea though!
Unfortunately, out of my “circle” I’m the only one who is blogging so I need to find a community where I can achieve that.
doh! go get some!